Thibodaux seeks state's opinion on video poker regulations

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 8:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 8:39 p.m.

A proposal to regulate the placement of businesses with video poker machines in Thibodaux is in the hands of the state attorney general's office.

The Thibodaux City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to ask the attorney general to determine the city's ability to restrict the placement of any video poker facility with more than three machines. To do so, the council would have to amend the city's zoning ordinance.

Council Chairman Lloyd “Chip” Badeaux said he was concerned about the city's liability in making a decision that would affect local businesses.

Several members of the public wrote up the amendment and presented it earlier this month to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission requested the council ask for the opinion.

“They don't have a problem with what's proposed. They just want to make sure that it's within the city's power to regulate,” Council Administrator Jenny Morvant said.

If approved, local businesses that already have more than three video poker machines would be grandfathered into the new rules.

The proposal stems from the Aug. 20 council meeting where residents debated allowing the city's only offtrack betting parlor to change locations. The council did not take action.

Tony Lafaso is manager of M&B Rentals of America, which owns the land where the Fair Grounds offtrack betting casino is located at 1766 Canal Blvd. He said he has been in talks with the offtrack casino company for more than a year about whether it will move its location when its lease runs out next October.

“They see where everything is going at North Canal and are considering relocation,” Lafaso said, adding that a specific site has not been chosen or purchased.

The area along North Canal includes a Wal-Mart, a few hotels and numerous restaurants. Some residential neighborhoods are also located on the road's most northern stretch within the city.

Representatives of a local gambling equipment operator and video poker casino argued against the business changing locations because they said it would hurt other businesses that have video poker machines.

While businesses with video poker are prohibited from being within a mile of churches, schools and libraries, and now even residential areas after the Legislature's session this year, offtrack gambling locations have no such restrictions, allowing them to escape video poker regulations.

State law limits offtrack betting parlors to a 55-mile radius of their home racetrack. For Lafourche Parish, that's the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Dale Fremin, president of Delta Coin Machines, a gambling equipment operator, urged the council at the August meeting to ban construction of any new offtrack betting locations until state or local governments address how close they can be to residential areas.

Grady Gaubert, president of Gaubert Oil, who owns Lucky Star Travel Plaza, Thibodaux's only truck stop with gambling, said he is concerned the offtrack facility could hurt his business if it moves closer to him. The business opened 10 years ago.

Lafaso said the offtrack betting parlor is looking to move into a more commercial district with looser regulations but may leave if it faces obstacles.

“I understand what Mr. Fremin is asking, and I understand where he's wanting to go with this. ... If this doesn't come to pass, that's it. They're going to pack up and leave,” Lafaso said.

Gaubert said the residential restriction has “basically killed” any video poker truck stops in the state.

“Truck stops can still be built, but the video poker part of it, once you put it a mile away, it becomes unattractive. People don't travel that far to play,” he said.

Offtrack betting parlors have an unfair advantage, he added.

Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter @ja_batte

<p>A proposal to regulate the placement of businesses with video poker machines in Thibodaux is in the hands of the state attorney general's office. </p><p>The Thibodaux City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to ask the attorney general to determine the city's ability to restrict the placement of any video poker facility with more than three machines. To do so, the council would have to amend the city's zoning ordinance. </p><p>Council Chairman Lloyd “Chip” Badeaux said he was concerned about the city's liability in making a decision that would affect local businesses. </p><p>Several members of the public wrote up the amendment and presented it earlier this month to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission requested the council ask for the opinion. </p><p>“They don't have a problem with what's proposed. They just want to make sure that it's within the city's power to regulate,” Council Administrator Jenny Morvant said.</p><p>If approved, local businesses that already have more than three video poker machines would be grandfathered into the new rules. </p><p>The proposal stems from the Aug. 20 council meeting where residents debated allowing the city's only offtrack betting parlor to change locations. The council did not take action. </p><p>Tony Lafaso is manager of M&B Rentals of America, which owns the land where the Fair Grounds offtrack betting casino is located at 1766 Canal Blvd. He said he has been in talks with the offtrack casino company for more than a year about whether it will move its location when its lease runs out next October.</p><p>“They see where everything is going at North Canal and are considering relocation,” Lafaso said, adding that a specific site has not been chosen or purchased.</p><p>The area along North Canal includes a Wal-Mart, a few hotels and numerous restaurants. Some residential neighborhoods are also located on the road's most northern stretch within the city.</p><p>Representatives of a local gambling equipment operator and video poker casino argued against the business changing locations because they said it would hurt other businesses that have video poker machines. </p><p>While businesses with video poker are prohibited from being within a mile of churches, schools and libraries, and now even residential areas after the Legislature's session this year, offtrack gambling locations have no such restrictions, allowing them to escape video poker regulations.</p><p>State law limits offtrack betting parlors to a 55-mile radius of their home racetrack. For Lafourche Parish, that's the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.</p><p>Dale Fremin, president of Delta Coin Machines, a gambling equipment operator, urged the council at the August meeting to ban construction of any new offtrack betting locations until state or local governments address how close they can be to residential areas.</p><p>Grady Gaubert, president of Gaubert Oil, who owns Lucky Star Travel Plaza, Thibodaux's only truck stop with gambling, said he is concerned the offtrack facility could hurt his business if it moves closer to him. The business opened 10 years ago.</p><p>Lafaso said the offtrack betting parlor is looking to move into a more commercial district with looser regulations but may leave if it faces obstacles.</p><p>“I understand what Mr. Fremin is asking, and I understand where he's wanting to go with this. ... If this doesn't come to pass, that's it. They're going to pack up and leave,” Lafaso said.</p><p>Gaubert said the residential restriction has “basically killed” any video poker truck stops in the state.</p><p>“Truck stops can still be built, but the video poker part of it, once you put it a mile away, it becomes unattractive. People don't travel that far to play,” he said. </p><p>Offtrack betting parlors have an unfair advantage, he added.</p><p>Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter @ja_batte</p>